Rotary engine

ABSTRACT

A rotor casing is provided defining a generally cylindrical rotor chamber including opposite side walls and a generaly cylindrical peripheral wall extending therebetween. A rotor of elliptical cross-sectional shape is journaled in the chamber about an axis centrally disposed relative to the chamber and the rotor with the major diameter ends of the rotor sweeping the peripheral wall of the chamber. The casing includes three generally equally circumferentially spaced radial abutments supported for extension and retraction relative to the peripheral wall of the chamber into and out of the outer periphery of the chamber and the inner ends of the abutments are slidingly engaged with the outer periphery of the rotor. Between two adjacent abutments is defined an intake and compression chamber and a combined power and exhaust chamber is defined between the pair of adjacent abutments in advance of the intake and compression chamber. The rotor includes a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending opposite side transfer passages whose opposite ends open through end surface portions of the rotor opposing the side walls of the chamber and the chamber side walls include circumferentially extending transfer grooves with which the ends of the transfer passages are intermittently registrable. The transfer passages and grooves are arranged such that as one major diameter end portion of the rotor approaches the abutment defining the end of the intake and compression chamber the compressed fuel and air mixture ahead of the rotor end and behind that abutment is transferred through the rotor to the opposite end thereof and discharged into the area behind the opposite end of the rotor and ahead of the abutment defining the beginning of the power and exhaust chamber. Thereafter, combustion is initiated behind the rotor end in the power and exhaust chamber imparting rotation to the rotor, the exhaust gases ahead of the end of the rotor in the power and exhaust chamber being expressed from an exhaust port disposed closely behind the abutment defining the end of the power and exhaust chamber. The cycles of intake, compression, power and exhaust are repeated twice during each revolution of the rotor.

United States atent [1 1 Delfino et a1.

1 Sept. 24, 1974 1 1 ROTARY ENGINE [76] Inventors: Frank Delfino; Robert E. Pool, both of 1101 Castro Ln., Bakersfield, Calif. 93304 [22] Filed: Mar. 2, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 337,304

[52] U.S. Cl. 123/833, 418/83 [51] Int. Cl F0211 53/00 [58] Field of Search 123/833, 8.27, 8.35, 8.31,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 749,654 l/1904 Banta et a1 123/833 X 1,173,327 2/1916 Thurmond 418/248 X 1,242,692 10/1917 Hibner 418/248 X 1,504,926 8/1924 Baisch 418/248 X 1,859,618 5/1932 Cleland 123/833 2,175,265 10/1939 Johnson 123/819 3,422,801 l/l969, Mido 123/827 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,341,277 9/1963 France 123/833 Primary Examiner-Carlton R. Croyle Assistant Examiner-Michael Koczo, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson [5 7 ABSTRACT A rotor casing is provided defining a generally cylindrical rotor chamber including opposite side walls and a generaly cylindrical peripheral wall extending therebetween. A rotor of elliptical cross-sectional shape is journaled in the chamber about an axis centrally disposed relative to the chamber and the rotor with the major diameter ends of the rotor sweeping the peripheral wall of the chamber. The casing includes three generally equally circumferentially spaced radial abutments supported for extension and retraction relative to the peripheral wall of the chamber into and out of the outer periphery of the chamber and the inner ends of the abutments are slidingly engaged with the outer periphery of the rotor. Between two adjacent abutments is defined an intake and compression chamber and a combined power and exhaust chamber is defined between the pair of adjacent abutments in advance of the intake and compression chamber. The rotor includes a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending opposite side transfer passages whose opposite ends open through end surface portions of the rotor opposing the side walls of the chamber and the chamber side walls include circumferentially extending transfer grooves with which the ends of the transfer passages are intermittently registrable. The transfer passages and grooves are arranged such that as one major diameter end portion of the rotor approaches the abutment defining the end of the intake and compression chamber the compressed fuel and air mixture ahead of the rotor end and behind that abutment is transferred through the rotor to the opposite end thereof and discharged into the area behind the opposite end of the rotor and ahead of the abutment defining the beginning of the power and exhaust chamber. Thereafter, combustion is initiated behind the rotor end in the power and exhaust chamber imparting rotation to the rotor, the exhaust gases ahead of the end of the rotor in the power and exhaust chamber being expressed from an exhaust port disposed closely behind the abutment defining the end of the power and exhaust chamber. The cycles of intake, compression, power and exhaust are repeated twice during each revolution of the rotor.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAIENIH] SEP 2 41974 SIIEHBBF 3 ROTARY ENGINE The rotary engine of the instant invention has been specifically designed to provide a power source which will operate in an efficient manner at low as well as high rotational speeds with little vibration. Further, the rotary engine, although being specifically illustrated and described herein as being dependent upon spark plug ignition, may also be operated in the manner of a diesel engine. Still further, the combustion engine may utilize a variety of liquid as well as gaseous fuels and further includes structural features which support extremely long life and which may be readily renewed to original specifications at a minimum of cost at such time as wear over a long lifetime dictates the need for replacement of those parts which are subject to wear.

The main object of this invention is to provide a rotary engine establishing an inexpensive trouble-free power source of the internal combustion type.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary engine whose operating characteristics including the range in speed for efficient operation and torque and horsepower producing capabilities may be readily varied during manufacture of the engine.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a rotary engine having a minimum of moving operating parts and constructed in a manner whereby parts having been subject to wear due to a long operating life may be readily replaced.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a rotary engine in accor-. dance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and dependable in operation so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing through the longitudinal center of a rotary engine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are schematic views illustrating the moving components of the engine in various relative operating positions thereof;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rotor; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lower portion of the center housing section of the engine.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the rotary engine of the instant invention. The engine 10 includes a generally cylindrical center housing section 12 and a pair of opposite end plate sections 14 and 16 removably secured to the opposite ends of the section 12 by means of suitable fasteners 18 and 20.

The center housing section 12 includes a removable lower portion 22 and an upper portion 24 to which the lower portion is secured by means of suitable fasteners 26.

The center housing section 12 defines a cylindrical chamber 28 including a cylindrical peripheral wall 30. The inner faces of the end sections or plates 14 and 16 define opposite end walls 34 and 36 of the chamber 28. In addition, the section 12 includes three generally radial projections 38, 40 and 42 and has three radial slots 44, 46 and 48 formed therein in registry with the projections 38, 40 and 42. Further, the projections have generally radial bores 50, 52 and 54 formed therethrough in alignment with the corresponding slots and the outer ends of the bores include threaded counterbores 56 in which abutment plugs 58 are removably threadedly secured. The slots 46 and 48 as well as the bores 52 and 54 and their corresponding counterbores 56 are defined at the interfaces between the opposing portions of the upper and lower portions 24 and 22 of the section 12.

The lower portion 12 includes a downwardly projecting hollow portion 60 defining an oil sump and that portion of the peripheral wall 30 defined by the lower portion 22 of the housing section 12 has a pair of slots 62 formed therein extending peripherally about the chamber 28 and communicating the lower portion of the latter with the interior of the hollow portion 60. Further, the hollow portion 60 includes an upwardly projecting inlet neck 64 which may be utilized to admit lubricating oil into the hollow portion 60 from the exterior of the engine 10, the level of oil within the hollow portion 60 in a static condition being slightly above the lower extremity of the chamber 28. Of course, the hollow portion 60 is also provided with a drain plug 65 which is removable to thereby provide a means for draining lubricating oil from the engine 10.

A rotor shaft 66 is journaled through the end sections 14 and 16 and extends through the chamber 28. A rotor 68 is mounted on the shaft 66 within the chamber 28 and the opposite end surfaces 70 of the rotor 68 closely oppose the inner surfaces 34 and 36 of the end sections or plates 14 and 16.

The major diameter ends of the elliptical rotor include axially extending recesses 72 in which removable seal tips or plates 74 are secured by meansof fasteners 76. Also, from FIG. 1 of the drawings it may be seen that the rotor 68 is keyed to the shaft 66 as at 78 and the rotor may be seen to include a pair of generally parallel transfer passages 80 and 82 extending along the major diameter of the rotor 68 on opposite sides of the shaft 66. The passage 80 includes an inlet end opening toward and opposing the end plate or section 14 and referred to by the reference numeral 84 and the passage 82 includes an inlet end 86 opening toward and opposing the end section or plate 14. Further, the passage 80 includes an outlet end 88 opening toward the end section or plate 16 and the passage 82 includes an outlet end 90 opening toward and opposing the end section or plate 16. v

From FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings it may be seen that the end plate or section 14 has an arcuate transfer groove 92 formed therein and a similar but shorter groove 94 is formed in the end plate or section 16. The outlet ends 88 and 90 of the passages 80 and 82 are registrable with the groove 94 and the inlet ends 84 and 86 of the passages 80 and 82 are registrable with the groove 92.

The upper portion 24 of the center housing section 12 includes an intake port 98 ahead of the slot 44 and an exhaust port 100 behind the slot 44.

Three radial abutments 102, 104 and 106 are slidably disposed in the slots 44, 46 and 48, respectively, and compression springs 108, 110 and 112 are disposed in the bores 50, 52 and 54 between the corresponding abutments and the abutment plugs 58. Accordingly, the springs yieldingly bias the abutments radially inwardly into sliding contact with the corresponding peripheral portions of the rotor 68. Also, a spark plug 114 is se cured through the center housing section 12 closely ahead of the abutment 106 and may be electrically actuated in any suitable manner (not shown) in a timed manner according to the speed of rotation of the shaft 66.

In operation, and with attention invited more specifically to FIGS. 3 through of the drawings, as the end A of the rotor 68 moves in advance of the vane 102 a suitable air and fuel mixture from any suitable source (not shown) enters the chamber 28 ahead of the vane 102 and behind the end A of the rotor 68. Meanwhile, the previous charge inducted through the intake port 98 ahead of the end A of the rotor 68 is being compressed between the rotor end A and the vane 104. This compressed air and fuel charge is communicated with the transfer passage 82 through the inlet end 86 thereof so that a portion of the compressed charge is contained within the passage 82.

During further rotation of the rotor 68 from the position thereof illustrated in FIG. 3 to the position thereof illustrated in FIG. 4, the end B of the rotor 68 passes the vane 106 and the outlet end 90 of the passage 82 is registered with the transfer groove 94 so that the compressed charge ahead of the end A of the rotor 68 and behind the vane 104 may be substantially fully transferred to the area behind the end B of the rotor 68 and ahead of the vane 106 in FIG. 4. As soon as the rotor 68 further rotates toward the position thereof illustrated in FIG. 5 so that the inlet 86 of the passage 82 moves out of registry with the transfer groove 92, the spark plug 114 is electrically actuated and the spark generated thereby ignites the compressed air and fuel mixture behind the end B of the rotor 68 ahead of the vane 106. Of course, as the rotor 68 rotates from the position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the position illustrated in FIG. 5 the exhaust gases ahead of the end B of the rotor 68 and behind the vane 102 are being exhausted through the exhaust port 100. Then, as the end B ofthe rotor 68 passes the abutment 102, the same sequence of steps takes place with regard to intake, compression, transfer and ignition of the next inducted air and fuel mixture entering the intake port 98.

Of course, it may be readily appreciated that the effective compression ratio at the time of combustion may be readily varied by changing the cross-sectional shape of the rotor 68 and the angular positioning of the grooves 92 and 94 as well as the timing of the actuation of the spark plug 114. Also, similar changes may be utilized to vary the torque output of the engine as well as its fuel requirements.

As each rotor end passes the mid-portions of the slots 62 it is splash lubricated. Also, the slots 62 serve to provide a means for relieving that portion of the chamber 28 between the vanes 104 and 106 as each end of the rotor 68 moves from the vane 104 past the vane 106.

Thus, the slots 62 serve to provide lubrication for the engine and also bypass venting of the lower portion of the chamber 28. In addition, the removable lower portion 22 of the center housing section 12 provides access to not only the lower abutments 104 and 106 without complete disassembly of the engine 10 but also access to the rotor end seals 74.

It is proposed that peripheral seals may be used on the opposite ends of the rotor 68 if desired and that the material of which the vanes are constructed will be softer than the material of which the rotor 68 is constructed. In addition, the seals 74 will also be constructed of a material which is softer than the center housing section 12. In this manner, appreciable wear will occur only on the inner ends of the abutments and on the seals 76. Further, the passages and 82 could be replaced by a single passage including outlet portions opening through both axial faces of the rotor at each end of the single passage. Finally, hydraulic pressure could be used to bias the abutments 102, 104 and 106 in lieu of the springs 108, 110 and 112.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A rotary engine including a casing defining a substantially cylindrical rotor chamberincluding opposite end walls interconnected by means of a generally cylindrical peripheral wall, a generally elliptical rotor journailed in said chamber about an axis centrally disposed relative to said chamber and rotor and defining a pair of generally diametrically opposite radially outwardly projecting rounded lobes and a pair of opposite end surfaces opposing said end walls. three generally equally circumferentially spaced and radially shiftable abutments supported from said casing for extension and retraction relative to said peripheral wall into and out of the outer peripheral portion of said chamber and including inner portions slidingly engaged with the outer periphery of said rotor, said rotor further including a pair of transfer passages each with inlet and outlet ends opening through end surface portions of said rotor, said casing including first and second outer peripherally extending ducting passages formed in the end walls thereof and with which said inlet and outlet ends are registrable, said casing including intake and exhaust ports opening into the outer periphery of said chamber on opposite sides of and adjacent one of said abutments, and said inlet and outlet ends of said transfer passages and said ducting passages being positioned to transfer gases compressed ahead of each rotor lobe as it approaches a second of said abutments into the outer periphery of said chamber ahead of the third abutment as the other rotor lobe moves therepast.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said transfer passages extend through said rotor generally along opposite sides of the major diameter plane of said rotor.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said casing includes ignition means communicated with the outer periphery of said chamber closely ahead of said third abutment.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said casing includes an openended center section to the opposite ends of which a pair of opposite end plates are removably secured defining said end walls 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said center section includes a segmental section thereof removably secured to the remaining section and extending between one pair of adjacent abutments.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the minimum diametric dimension of said rotor is less than the distance between the spaced ends of said remaining section between which said segmental section is removably secured.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the inlet and outlet ends of one of said transfer passages are reversed relative to the inlet and outlet ends ofthe other transfer passage, said first and second ducting passages being formed in opposite end walls of said casing, and the inlet and outlet ends of each of said transfer passages opening through opposite end surfaces of said rotor.

8. A rotary engine including a casing defining a substantially cylindrical rotor chamber including opposite end walls interconnected by means of a generally cylindrical peripheral wall, a generally elliptical rotor journalled in said chamber about an axis centrally disposed relative to said chamber and rotor and defining a pair of generally diametrically opposite radially outwardly projecting rounded lobes and a pair of opposite end surfaces opposing said end walls, three generally equally circumferentially spaced and radially shiftable abutments supported from said casing for extension and retraction relative to said peripheral wall into and out of the outer peripheral portion of said chamber and including inner portions slidingly engaged with the outer periphery of said rotor, said casing being horizontally disposed with one of said abutments disposed in an upper portion of said casing and the other two abutments disposed in the lower portion of said casing on opposite sides of a vertical plane containing said axis, the lower portion of said casing defining a hollow oil sump below said chamber, the portion of said generally cylindrical peripheral wall disposed between said other two abutments having at least one elongated large cross-sectional area opening formed therein and extending therealong, said opening opening downwardly into the upper portion of said oil sump. 

1. A rotary engine including a casing defining a substantially cylindrical rotor chamber including opposite end walls interconnected by means of a generally cylindrical peripheral wall, a generally elliptical rotor journalled in said chamber about an axis centrally disposed relative to said chamber and rotor and defining a pair of generally diametrically opposite radially outwardly projecting rounded lobes and a pair of opposite end surfaces opposing said end walls, three generally equally circumferentially spaced and radially shiftable abutments supported from said casing for extension and retraction relative to said peripheral wall into and out of the outer peripheral portion of said chamber and including inner portions slidingly engaged with the outer periphery of said rotor, said rotor further including a pair of transfer passages each with inlet and outlet ends opening through end surface portions of said rotor, said casing including first and second outer peripherally extending ducting passages formed in the end walls thereof and with which said inlet and outlet ends are registrable, said casing including intake and exhaust ports opening into the outer periphery of said chamber on opposite sides of and adjacent one of said abutments, and said inlet and outlet ends of said transfer passages and said ducting passages being positioned to transfer gases compressed ahead of each rotor lobe as it approaches a second of said abutments into the outer periphery of said chamber ahead of the third aButment as the other rotor lobe moves therepast.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said transfer passages extend through said rotor generally along opposite sides of the major diameter plane of said rotor.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said casing includes ignition means communicated with the outer periphery of said chamber closely ahead of said third abutment.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said casing includes an openended center section to the opposite ends of which a pair of opposite end plates are removably secured defining said end walls.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said center section includes a segmental section thereof removably secured to the remaining section and extending between one pair of adjacent abutments.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the minimum diametric dimension of said rotor is less than the distance between the spaced ends of said remaining section between which said segmental section is removably secured.
 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the inlet and outlet ends of one of said transfer passages are reversed relative to the inlet and outlet ends of the other transfer passage, said first and second ducting passages being formed in opposite end walls of said casing, and the inlet and outlet ends of each of said transfer passages opening through opposite end surfaces of said rotor.
 8. A rotary engine including a casing defining a substantially cylindrical rotor chamber including opposite end walls interconnected by means of a generally cylindrical peripheral wall, a generally elliptical rotor journalled in said chamber about an axis centrally disposed relative to said chamber and rotor and defining a pair of generally diametrically opposite radially outwardly projecting rounded lobes and a pair of opposite end surfaces opposing said end walls, three generally equally circumferentially spaced and radially shiftable abutments supported from said casing for extension and retraction relative to said peripheral wall into and out of the outer peripheral portion of said chamber and including inner portions slidingly engaged with the outer periphery of said rotor, said casing being horizontally disposed with one of said abutments disposed in an upper portion of said casing and the other two abutments disposed in the lower portion of said casing on opposite sides of a vertical plane containing said axis, the lower portion of said casing defining a hollow oil sump below said chamber, the portion of said generally cylindrical peripheral wall disposed between said other two abutments having at least one elongated large cross-sectional area opening formed therein and extending therealong, said opening opening downwardly into the upper portion of said oil sump. 